E-scooters could yet return to the streets of Rochdale despite council bosses calling time on a controversial trial. Run by Lime - which has scooters in 125 cities across the world - the year long pilot came to an end last month, with council chiefs opting not to extend the scheme by a further six months.
It was hoped the trial would reduce the number of short car journeys, cut congestion and air pollution and provide a 'stepping stone' for would-be cyclists lacking confidence on the road. Despite Rochdale choosing not to continue with the scheme, Lime says it had been a ‘great success’, with some 12,000 trips made by 3,000 riders since April last year.
The pilot - which focused on the town centre - was not without its problems, however. There were complaints about scooters being dumped in the river and canal, as well as reports they were being ‘abandoned’ on pavements rather than parked at the dedicated docking stations.
